Former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, has firmly stated that he never accepted bribes from contractors during his tenure as governor, nor did he misappropriate local government funds. Shekarau made this assertion on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, held to announce the 70th Anniversary of the Muslim Student’s Society of Nigeria (MSSN).
Addressing the media, Shekarau emphasised his commitment to ethical governance, highlighting that throughout his eight years as governor, he maintained a strict policy of not interfering with local government finances. “I may not be the only one, but you can be very sure I’m among the very few governors who, for eight years, never touched local government money,” he stated.
Shekarau, who also served as the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of MSSN, reflected on his 44 years of public service, proudly noting that he never engaged in negotiations with contractors for personal gain. “In my 44 years of public leadership, I have never negotiated with any contractor. I am proud to say that I have never taken any money from any contractor,” he declared.
The former governor revealed that his only property is his residence in Kano, and that he continues to live in a rented house in Abuja, attributing his disciplined lifestyle to the moral training he received from the MSSN. “The only thing I own today is my house in Kano. I still live in a rented house in Abuja, and I was able to do this through the inspiration of the MSSN moral training,” Shekarau said.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, Shekarau underscored the MSSN’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Muslim community across various sectors, including education, economy, spirituality, and politics. He stressed the society’s commitment to fostering unity and encouraging its members to actively participate in governance.
Shekarau also addressed the challenges faced by the MSSN, noting that despite its 60 years of existence, the organisation only recently acquired a befitting National Headquarters. “At the moment, while we do not have the exact number of graduates under the MSSN umbrella, I can tell you we have 37,000 branches across the federation. We will strive to introduce new programmes and processes that will consolidate unity and encourage members to participate in politics and governance,” he added.
The former governor’s remarks come as part of a broader reflection on his public service career, highlighting a legacy of integrity and ethical leadership amidst Nigeria’s complex political landscape.
